2014 Review of FUND E-Z Nonprofit Accounting Version 10

The recently added Auto Open feature allows users to choose the tabs they wish to display upon system login.   Other new features in FUND E-Z include the new Attachments function, which allows users to attach files to system transactions as needed, as well as the Manage Attachment feature, which allows for global attachment management.    

FUND E-Z offers a wide variety of modules, including GL, Bank Reconciliation, Budgeting, AP, AR, Client Billing, Direct Allocations, Security, and Tools, all of which are available in the basic version, and Purchase Orders,  Batch Processing and Indirect Allocations are available in the Pro version . 

CORE NFP/FUND ACCOUNTING CAPABILITIES – 4 Stars

The basic version of FUND E-Z offers a standard chart of accounts structure, which has a maximum length of 22 characters and five segments.  The Pro version offers 10 segments and up to 100 characters in length.  FUND E-Z handles multiple transaction types including deposits and cash receipts, bank reconciliation, memorized transaction posting, and standard and partial vendor payments. 

The new edit buttons offer on-the-fly editing of data, and users can create detailed or summarized budgets as well as cross-fiscal year budgets.  Users can also create revised budgets while keeping original data intact.  Budgets can also be extended for multiple years, and they can be easily exported to spreadsheet software.   

FUND E-Z Pro, FUND E-Z’s optional fundraising module, offers more in-depth fundraising management capability, tracking donor data, including gifts by campaign, unfulfilled pledges, past gifts, and a full giving history.  While a separate Grants module is not included in FUND E-Z, users can easily track grant activity and create separate budgets for each grant. 

Forced balancing in the system GL makes sure that all GL and subsidiary accounts remain in balance.  Users can easily maintain an unlimited number of fiscal years, and can begin posting to a new fiscal year while the old year remains open.  Solid audit system functionality tracks all system activity, including posted transactions, additions, modifications, and deletions.  Users can use the mail merge function to contact vendors, donors, and customers, and online access makes it easy to access the system from any location. 

MANAGEMENT FEATURES – 4.5 Stars

FUND E-Z allows users to create budgets for grants, programs, or projects.  Users can utilize the in-grid editing feature to revise existing budgets, and budgets can be created for up to 24 months.  FUND E-Z allows managers to set system access such as full control, add-edit, add-only, read-only, or no access, based on needs.  System access can also be set by function, with users added solely or as part of a group. 

Users can quickly drill down to budget detail when processing AP to ensure that budgeted amounts are not exceeded.  The new Attachments feature allows users to create a complete document with the necessary files attached.  The AR module tracks all organization receivables, creating an AR Balance Due report showing all current AR amounts.  FUND E-Z’s Fund Raising Solution allows users to track donations, gifts and pledges, supports user-defined giving levels for tracking, and creates mail merge letters and emails for various campaigns; easily processing both appeal letters and thank you letters using the mail merge feature.   

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS & REPORTS – 4.5 Stars

FUND E-Z contains an integrated report writer that allows users to customize the long list of standard reports included with the system.  Reports can cross fiscal years, and users can create cost worksheets for Forms 990 along with FASB 117 reports as needed.  Financial statements can be formatted with the ability to drag-and-drop accounts into specified rows.  Users can drill down to originating documents in all reports.  

Grant budget reports can be created in FUND E-Z, and the optional fundraising module offers up to 20 custom donor fields that can be utilized as needed.  The fundraising module also includes several pre-designed reports that can be customized as needed.  All FUND E-Z reports can be exported to a variety of file types including HTML, PDF, XLS, CSV, RTF, as well as text and image files.  FUND E-Z also integrates with F9 Financial Reporting for more reporting options. 

INTEGRATION/IMPORT/EXPORT – 5 Stars

Users can import a variety of data types including journal entries, cash receipts, invoices, bills, donor detail and budgets.  Data can also be exported in various formats including Excel, HTML, and PDF.  Data can be imported directly from Excel or other text files.  All FUND E-Z modules are designed to integrate fully, and the availability of a basic and pro version gives the product added scalability.  Easy integration with Microsoft Office products is also a big plus.   In addition, accountants can access client data files remotely.

HELP/SUPPORT – 4.5 Stars

Standard help functionality is found throughout FUND E-Z.  Additional training is available online, with a class schedule listed on the website.  Classes cost $295 per person.  For those wishing more in-depth training, onsite training is available as well.  Product support is included the first year with pricing starting at $495 per year.  The support contract includes unlimited telephone support, free access to the support center, as well as all software upgrades and revisions.    

SUMMARY & PRICING

FUND E-Z Nonprofit Accounting from FUND E-Z Development Corporation is a solid, scalable nonprofit system that is well suited to small to mid-sized nonprofit organizations.  Pricing starts at $1,995.00 for a basic edition for a single user.  The FUND E-Z Fund Raising module, available for $995, can be used in conjunction with the full accounting suite or as a stand-alone product.

Best Fit:  FUND E-Z is a solid nonprofit accounting software product optimally designed for small to mid-sized nonprofit organizations and government entities.  Newly revised, FUND E-Z is available in both basic and pro-editions for user flexibility. 

Product Strengths

• Intuitive user interface modeled after and designed to work with Microsoft Office products
• Two editions available
• Excellent optional fundraising module
• Limited training time required to be up and running
• Strong budgeting capabilities

Potential Weaknesses

• Lack of a Grants management module
• Lack of e-payment and e-banking features

2014 Overall Rating: 4.5 Stars